- Title: Young Libyans train as pastry chefs as state jobs dry up
- Date: 2nd January 2020
- Summary: BENGHAZI, LIBYA (DECEMBER 18, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING GRADUATE WHO WORKS AT CAFE, BELGHASEM ABDULSALAM, PREPARING TO BAKE PASTRY VARIOUS OF ABDULSALAM MAKING CREPE ABDULSALAM CUTTING BANANA (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PETROLEUM ENGINEERING GRADUATE WHO WORKS AT CAFE, BELGHASEM ABDULSALAM, SAYING: "I applied for the National Oil Corporation and the Brega Petroleum Marketing Company and the Arabian Gulf Oil Company and even the private Schlumberger. It's very difficult." ABDULSALAM ADDING CHOCOLATE SAUCE ON TOP OF CREPE ABDULSALAM DECORATING CREPE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PETROLEUM ENGINEERING GRADUATE WHO WORKS AT CAFE, BELGHASEM ABDULSALAM, SAYING: "If I had worked based on what I studied, I would have worked on the field (as a petroleum engineer), but this profession, baking and cafe work, you cannot quit it now, it runs in my blood." JOURNALIST ASKING: "Do you believe that this job provides good income?" "It is a much better and stronger source of income than government work, more than the double. You can't rely on a government salary, it doesn't do anything." ABDULSALAM MAKING PASTRY PASTRY ON COOKING STOVE ABDULSALAM PUTTING NUTS ON TOP OF CREPE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PETROLEUM ENGINEERING GRADUATE WHO WORKS AT CAFE, BELGHASEM ABDULSALAM, SAYING: "The private sector is currently better and more successful than the government sector. Firstly, you actually get your (monthly) or daily salary whereas with the government, you have to chase the banks and stand in queues, etc." BENGHAZI, LIBYA (DECEMBER 15, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LEARNING TO BAKE CAKES AND PASTRY AT "SARA CENTRE" OWNER OF "SARA CENTRE", SARA BASHIR AL-ZAWY, DECORATING CAKE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OWNER OF CENTRE TEACHING "BENGHAZINO CHEF COURSE", SARA BASHIR AL-ZAWY, SAYING: "I graduated with a BA in accounting eight years ago, but didn't work in the public sector. Four years ago, I stood up for myself and launched this project. I imagine that if I had waited for the state to employ me, I would've stayed at home for eight years. That's why I support the idea of youth standing up for themselves, instead of waiting for a 700-800 dinar ($500-$570) salary without taking any steps." WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT DECORATING CAKE PARTICIPANTS DURING TRAINING COURSE PARTICIPANT DECORATING CAKE PARTICIPANT TAKING PICTURE OF DECORATED CAKE DECORATED CAKES ON DISPLAY BENGHAZI, LIBYA (DECEMBER 16, 2019) (REUTERS) ALUMNUS OF CONFECTIONERY COURSE, NABIL MOHAMED AL-MABROUK, WALKING INTO KITCHEN / TAKING OFF JACKET MABROUK PUTTING APRON ON VARIOUS OF MABROUK CRACKING EGGS MABROUK ADDING SUGAR TO BOWL MABROUK BEATING EGGS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALUMNUS OF CONFECTIONERY COURSE, NABIL MOHAMED AL-MABROUK, SAYING: "I didn't benefit anything from my BA in economics, with all of its funding, banking knowledge and other key topics. I applied to work in many banks, including Wahda Bank and the Bank of Commerce and Development. I also applied for the health, education, social solidarity and military sectors and nothing happened. I didn't benefit anything from the state, not even one quarter of a dinar. These hands of mine are what brought me my income." VARIOUS OF MABROUK PREPARING CAKE INGREDIENTS
- Embargoed: 16th January 2020 11:50
- Keywords: Benghazi Fighting in Libya GNA Haftar Job opportunities for youth LNA Libya Libya unrest Libyan economy Libyan youth Oil Tripoli
- Location: BENGHAZI, LIBYA
- City: BENGHAZI, LIBYA
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Living / Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BUHCQ53
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: After several attempts at landing a job in Libya's state oil industry, 22-year-old engineering graduate Belghasem Abdulsalam decided to make a living baking cakes.
Most Libyans work in the public sector but the state has been hiring less because the country has been engulfed in conflict in the years since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Jobs in the private sector have also become scarce, as foreign companies have left due to the deteriorating security situation.
Forced to give up his dream of working in the oil industry, Abdulsalam took the "Benghazino chef course" at a private training centre in Benghazi to learn the confectionery trade.
He now works full time in a busy cafe in Benghazi and he gets paid every month, unlike many who work for the cash-strapped public sector.
"The income is much better than from the government because you have your salary in your hand," Abdulsalam said.
The training centre's owner, accountancy graduate Sara Bashir al-Zawy, 35, said young people needed to take care of themselves.
"If I had been waiting for the country to provide me with a job, I would have been unemployed at home for eight years now," she said.
Another alumnus of the confectionery course, 30-year-old Nabil Mohamed al-Mabrouk, started his own cake business to cater to cafes and supplement his father's state pension of 450 dinars ($321) in order to feed a family of nine.
"My hands make money," said Mabrouk, who has a certificate of business administration and bank financing. "Making three to four cakes can gain me half of a state salary."
(Production: Ahmed al-Rabei, Arwa Gaballa) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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